By
Rebecca Gibson |
A dedication ceremony was held at Banana Coast, the first mainland cruise destination in Honduras, on 13 June.
Presiding over the ceremony, president Porfirio Lobo Sosa unveiled a plaque honouring the landowners who made the port project possible. “To have the first Caribbean mainland cruise port open in the place of my birth is very gratifying to me personally,” said Lobo. “I am honoured to have played a role in the birth of an industry that will provide a future for the people of the region for years to come.”
Located in the city of Trujillo, which was founded during the Spanish colonial era, the US$30 million Banana Coast project has been coordinated by Grande Trujillo Authoridad, Desarollos Vision de Vida and Miami-based Global Destinations Development.
As part of the project, architecture company OBM International designed a two-berth, post-Panamax dock, a 50,000 sq ft shopping facility and transportation facility on ten acres of beachfront land.
“With its colourful history and setting, Trujillo provides wonderful opportunities for both architecture and landscaping,” said Doug Kulig, chief executive officer of OBM International. “The key to the design was finding the right combination of a rewarding visitor experience and seamless site functionality.”
Passengers will be offered a range of shorex options, including the signature Campo del Mar Nature Park and Beach Break trip, airplane rides to the Mayan ruins at Copan, snorkelling at a starfish bank, and kayaking in Guaimoreto Lagoon. Guests can also enjoy a mountain ATV ride, a culinary tasting tour, or journey through the colonial town of Trujillo.
“Banana Coast is a fresh, exciting destination with limitless potential, tucked inside the calm, protected waters of the Bay of Trujillo,” said Simon Douwes, director of deployment and itinerary planning at Holland America Line (HAL), which is the first line to schedule regular calls at the port. “The innovative and diverse portfolio of shore excursions will appeal to all interests, and those seeking rest and relaxation will find it on one of Banana Coast’s beautiful beaches.”
The port is set to receive its first cruise call on 19 November 2014 with the arrival of HAL’s 1,260-passenger Ryndam. The vessel will make 11 calls at Banana Coast during the 2014-2015 season as part of its western Caribbean itineraries.
Ryndam’s inaugural visit will be followed by a call from Silversea Cruises’ Silversea Cloud on 17 December 2014 and Oceania Cruises’ Riveria in 2015.